[bsljn5]

I am looking for someone who is adopting an infant boy from Russia. We have been told our baby will probably come from Kaliningrad (has anyone traveled to this region). We are finishing our homestudy, we have filed our I-600A and have gathered most documents for our dossier. We were told we would probably travel Jan. or Feb. the wait is horrible. I have been researching for months and find so many conflicting stories. I have tried to do everything I can to speed up the process, which is useless. We have re done our fingerprints 3 times for our homestudy. we now have to wait at least 7 more weeks for them to be retuned so our homestudy can be completed. I can say our passports came back in 10 days which was nice, but of course that is not something i was waiting for. If anyone can give me some information I would appreciate it.

thanks!!!

[suburbanmomgw]

Hi. You might want to do some reading on the threads in the Russia section of this web site. (international...Russia) There are many who are in various stages of the process.

Like you we are waiting for a boy. Not neccessarily an infant, but under 2yrs. We have 2 bio children, a boy 5, and a girl 3. We started with our initial application April 1 and as of yesterday our dossier went to the russian office for translation...we have been told that a referral will come as soon.--maybe 6weeks--as they can translate and send dossier to a region that has a child that fits our choice...

Patience is the word for those in this process. Set-backs and waiting are normal. Be faithful that the timing is sposed to be...when you look back, a few months is so fast. Fill your time with research--the country, the language, any parenting info., read alot. It helps me feel like I am being proactive. Also seeing the successes of the others here is exciting...

Best to you.

[bsljn5]

thanks

we have 3 bio children 9,6 and 5. they are as excited as us. My husband is a very patient man but that is not my best trait. I have met a couple going through another agency that have had a picture of their child for months. They have not completed their dossier. Is that normal?

[suburbanmomgw]

I'm not sure there is "normal" in the adoption process. It seems to vary by each case, each agency...

We were told that we may get a referral with little info. (maybe not even a picture) If your friend hasn't finished the dossier that may be the hold up. We were instructed the dossier first, then the referral would come... Try not to compare. I would ask as many questions as you can. Esp. to you agency since they are "in charge" of your journey.

[bsljn5]

Your exactly right. I have read for months trying to get a handle on exactly how journey would unfold. I just feel like the more I know the better off I am. My agency has been great but in hopes of not getting on their last nerve. I have tried to limit my phone calls. I can be a bit impatient and I am trying not to be to pushy.

[PR728]

My husband and I adopted our son from Kaliningrad in Feb. 2003. We ran into some political problems in the region (due to a new administration in the adoption center there). Long story, short, our agency closed Kaliningrad to new families for awhile but recently opened it back up. We are in the process of adopting another and have requested the same region and orphanage our son came from. I believe all the kinks are out now and things should be smoother. Good luck!